By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

The weather changes every year.

It can be sunny and unseasonably warm or blustery and bitterly cold.

The lines can be incredibly long, the wait for some almost unbearable.

But his face rarely changes.

And  the magic never gets old.

For those children who find this November stretch the longest ever, the wait will soon be over.

Niles’ city council will give the green light Monday to let St. Nicholas make his first official visit to the city Saturday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m.- returning to Riverfront Park for what will be just one of his annual visits.

Santa’s visit is made possible by the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, which has been welcoming him to Niles for 26 years.

“It’s the holiday kickoff,” chamber president Ron Sather said.

During Santa’s stop in downtown Niles, children and parents will be treated to hot cocoa and donut holes. Children will also receive a free coloring book after they visit with Santa.

Those making the trip out can only hope for warmer weather that the previous year, which was bitterly cold.

Children will get a chance to meet with the Christmas legend himself and get in some early present requests. Parents can bring cameras and take pictures and candy canes will give tongues a pepperminty start to the season.

An estimated average of 600 children and parents make their way to Riverfront Park each year for the chance to sit with Santa and bend his ear.